Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” New Living Translation “Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them. But Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.” English Standard Version Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” Berean Standard Bible “Take away the stone,” Jesus said. “Lord, by now he stinks,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man. “It has already been four days.” Berean Literal Bible Jesus says, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the one having died, says to Him, “Lord, already he stinks, for it is four days.” King James Bible Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. New King James Version Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.” New American Standard Bible Jesus said, “Remove the stone.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days.” NASB 1995 Jesus said, “Remove the stone.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days.” NASB 1977 Jesus said, “Remove the stone.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days.” Legacy Standard Bible Jesus said, “Remove the stone.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, “Lord, by this time he smells, for he has been dead four days.” Amplified Bible Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there will be an offensive odor, for he has been dead four days! [It is hopeless!]” Berean Annotated Bible “Take away the stone, Jesus (YHWH saves) said. “Lord {Kyrie}, by now he stinks, said Martha (the lady), the sister of the dead man. “It has already been four days. Christian Standard Bible “Remove the stone,” Jesus said. Martha, the dead man’s sister, told him, “Lord, there is already a stench because he has been dead four days.” Holman Christian Standard Bible “Remove the stone,” Jesus said. Martha, the dead man’s sister, told Him, “Lord, he’s already decaying. It’s been four days.” American Standard Version Jesus saith, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time the body decayeth; for he hath been dead four days. Contemporary English Version Then he told the people to roll the stone away. But Martha said, "Lord, you know that Lazarus has been dead four days, and there will be a bad smell." English Revised Version Jesus saith, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. GOD'S WORD® Translation Jesus said, "Take the stone away." Martha, the dead man's sister, told Jesus, "Lord, there must already be a stench. He's been dead for four days." Good News Translation "Take the stone away!" Jesus ordered. Martha, the dead man's sister, answered, "There will be a bad smell, Lord. He has been buried four days!" International Standard Version Jesus said, "Remove the stone." Martha, the dead man's sister, told him, "Lord, there must be a stench by now, because he's been dead for four days." NET Bible Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of the deceased, replied, "Lord, by this time the body will have a bad smell, because he has been buried four days." New Heart English Bible Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, "Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days." Webster's Bible Translation Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith to him, Lord, by this time his body is offensive: for he hath been dead four days. Weymouth New Testament "Take away the stone," said Jesus. Martha, the sister of the dead man, exclaimed, "Master, by this time there is a foul smell; for it is three days since he died." Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“Take away the stone,” Jesus said. “Lord, by now he stinks,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man. “It has already been four days.” World English Bible Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionJesus says, “Take away the stone”; the sister of him who has died—Martha—says to Him, “Lord, he already stinks, for he is four days dead”; Berean Literal Bible Jesus says, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the one having died, says to Him, “Lord, already he stinks, for it is four days.” Young's Literal Translation Jesus saith, 'Take ye away the stone;' the sister of him who hath died -- Martha -- saith to him, 'Sir, already he stinketh, for he is four days dead;' Smith's Literal Translation Jesus says, Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of the dead, says to him, Lord, he already smells: for it is the fourth day. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleJesus saith: Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith to him: Lord, by this time he stinketh, for he is now of four days. Catholic Public Domain Version Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who had died, said to him, “Lord, by now it will smell, for this is the fourth day.” New American Bible Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the dead man’s sister, said to him, “Lord, by now there will be a stench; he has been dead for four days.” New Revised Standard Version Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead four days.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleJesus said, Take away this stone. Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, My Lord, he is already disfigured, for he is dead four days. Aramaic Bible in Plain English And Yeshua said, “Take away this stone.” Martha, the sister of him who had died, said to him, “My Lord, by now it is putrid, for it has been four days.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentJesus said: Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, said to him: Lord, the body is offensive; for he has been dead four days. Godbey New Testament Jesus says; Haweis New Testament Jesus saith, Remove the stone. The sister of the deceased, Martha, said to him, Lord, he is by this time putrid: for he hath been dead four days. Mace New Testament Jesus said, take away the stone. Martha, sister to the deceas'd, said to him, Lord, by this time he is offensive: for he hath been dead four days. Weymouth New Testament "Take away the stone," said Jesus. Martha, the sister of the dead man, exclaimed, "Master, by this time there is a foul smell; for it is three days since he died." Worrell New Testament Jesus saith, Worsley New Testament Jesus saith, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Jesus Raises Lazarus38Jesus, once again deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39“Take away the stone,” Jesus said. “Lord, by now he stinks,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man. “ It has already been four days.” 40Jesus replied, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”… Cross References “Take away the stone,” Jesus said. Mark 16:3-4 They were asking one another, “Who will roll away the stone from the entrance of the tomb?” / But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, even though it was extremely large. Luke 24:2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, John 20:1 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. “Lord, by now he stinks,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man. Isaiah 34:3 Their slain will be left unburied, and the stench of their corpses will rise; the mountains will flow with their blood. Acts 13:36-37 For when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep. His body was buried with his fathers and saw decay. / But the One whom God raised from the dead did not see decay. Psalm 16:10 For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay. “It has already been four days.” Revelation 11:9-11 For three and a half days all peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will view their bodies and will not permit them to be laid in a tomb. / And those who dwell on the earth will gloat over them and celebrate and send one another gifts, because these two prophets had tormented them. / But after the three and a half days, the breath of life from God entered the two witnesses, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell upon those who saw them. Acts 2:27 because You will not abandon my soul to Hades, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay. Hosea 6:2 After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His presence. John 5:28-29 Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice / and come out—those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. John 2:19-22 Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again.” / “This temple took forty-six years to build,” the Jews replied, “and You are going to raise it up in three days?” / But Jesus was speaking about the temple of His body. … Luke 7:14-15 Then He went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. “Young man,” He said, “I tell you, get up!” / And the dead man sat up and began to speak! Then Jesus gave him back to his mother. Mark 5:41-42 Taking her by the hand, Jesus said, “Talitha koum!” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!” / Immediately the girl got up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). And at once they were utterly astounded. Matthew 9:24-25 “Go away,” He told them. “The girl is not dead, but asleep.” And they laughed at Him. / After the crowd had been put outside, Jesus went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. Acts 9:40-41 Then Peter sent them all out of the room. He knelt down and prayed, and turning toward her body, he said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. / Peter took her by the hand and helped her up. Then he called the saints and widows and presented her to them alive. 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead: What is sown is perishable; it is raised imperishable. / It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. / It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. Treasury of Scripture Jesus said, Take you away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, said to him, Lord, by this time he stinks: for he has been dead four days. Take. Mark 16:3 And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? Lord. John 11:17 Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already. Genesis 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. Genesis 23:4 I am a stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a buryingplace with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight. Jump to Previous Already Body Dead Decayeth Deceased Died Exclaimed Foul Four Jesus Martha Master Odor Offensive Remove Sister Smell Smelling Stench Stinketh Stone Three TimeJump to Next Already Body Dead Decayeth Deceased Died Exclaimed Foul Four Jesus Martha Master Odor Offensive Remove Sister Smell Smelling Stench Stinketh Stone Three TimeJohn 11 1. Jesus raises Lazarus, four days buried.45. Many Jews believe. 47. The high priests and Pharisees gather a council against Jesus. 49. Caiaphas prophesies. 54. Jesus hides himself. 55. At the Passover they enquire after him, and lay wait for him. “Take away the stone,” Jesus said. This command by Jesus is significant as it demonstrates His authority over life and death. The stone covering the tomb was a common burial practice in ancient Jewish culture, used to seal the entrance of a cave-like tomb. Jesus' directive to remove the stone is a precursor to the miracle He is about to perform, showing His power over the grave. This act also requires faith from those present, as removing the stone would expose the decaying body. Theologically, this can be seen as a foreshadowing of Jesus' own resurrection, where the stone was also rolled away from His tomb. “Lord, by now he stinks,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man. “It has already been four days.” Persons / Places / Events 1. JesusThe central figure in this passage, Jesus is about to perform a miraculous act that demonstrates His power over life and death. 2. Martha The sister of Lazarus, she expresses concern about the practical implications of opening the tomb, showing her human perspective and doubt. 3. Lazarus The deceased brother of Martha and Mary, whose resurrection will serve as a powerful sign of Jesus' divine authority. 4. The Tomb The place where Lazarus is buried, symbolizing death and the finality of human life without divine intervention. 5. Bethany The village where this event takes place, located near Jerusalem, and a place where Jesus often visited. Teaching Points Faith Overcomes DoubtMartha's initial doubt is a common human reaction, but Jesus calls us to trust in His power and promises, even when circumstances seem impossible. Jesus' Authority Over Death This event foreshadows Jesus' own resurrection and His ultimate victory over death, offering hope to all believers. Obedience Precedes Miracles Jesus commands the stone to be removed, requiring an act of obedience before the miracle occurs. Our obedience can be a precursor to witnessing God's power. God's Timing is Perfect Lazarus had been dead for four days, emphasizing that God's timing, though it may seem delayed, is always perfect for His purposes. The Power of Jesus' Word Jesus' command to remove the stone demonstrates the authority of His word, which can bring life and transformation. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of John 11:39?2. How does John 11:39 demonstrate Jesus' power over life and death? 3. Why does Martha express concern about the stone in John 11:39? 4. How can John 11:39 strengthen our faith in Jesus' miraculous abilities today? 5. What Old Testament events foreshadow Jesus' command to remove the stone in John 11:39? 6. How can we apply the lesson of trust from John 11:39 in our lives? 7. Why did Jesus wait four days before raising Lazarus in John 11:39? 8. How does John 11:39 demonstrate Jesus' power over life and death? 9. What is the significance of Martha's objection in John 11:39? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from John 11? 11. How could a body remain intact after four days of decay (John 11:39)? 12. How did Mary of Bethany show devotion to Jesus? 13. What occurred to Lazarus post-resurrection? 14. Could Lazarus have been mistaken for dead rather than truly resurrected (John 11:14)? What Does John 11:39 Mean “Take away the stone,” Jesus said.• A plain, authoritative command. Jesus is not suggesting; He is taking charge, just as He will one day “command all who are in the graves to come out” (John 5:28). • The stone is a real, physical barrier—and also a vivid picture of anything that keeps us from seeing God’s power. By calling for it to be removed, Jesus shows that human obedience often precedes divine intervention (John 2:7; James 2:17). • He involves the crowd. They cannot raise the dead, but they can roll a stone; He lets them share in the work so they will share in the wonder (John 11:40). • The moment foreshadows His own tomb. Another stone will be rolled away (John 20:1), proving that nothing—neither rock nor death—can restrain the Son of God. “Lord, by now he stinks,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man. • Martha addresses Him as “Lord,” yet her senses cry out against His command. Faith meets earthly reality, and the clash is honest (John 11:21–27). • The stench underscores the finality of death. This is no faint pulse revived but a corpse in decay, stressing the literal nature of the miracle (Romans 6:23). • Her words echo our own hesitations: we believe, but we picture the mess behind the stone and shrink back (Mark 9:24). • Even so, Jesus does not rebuke her harshly; He moves forward, revealing that His power answers both the spiritual corruption sin brings (Ephesians 2:1) and the physical corruption death brings. “It has already been four days.” • The detail is intentional. Jesus delayed (John 11:6) so that the miracle would be unmistakable. Jewish custom said the soul lingered near the body up to three days; the fourth day removed every shred of natural hope. • Four days magnify His glory: “This sickness will not end in death, but is for God’s glory” (John 11:4). • The timing previews a greater resurrection. If He can call a decomposing man back to life, then His own rising on the third day (Luke 24:6–7) and the future resurrection of all believers (1 Corinthians 15:20–23) are fully assured. • The number also whispers of completeness—death has done its worst, and still Jesus overrules it (Revelation 1:18). summary John 11:39 captures the collision between Jesus’ sovereign command and human apprehension. He orders the obstacle removed, invites cooperation, confronts decay, and times it so that His victory over death is beyond dispute. The verse reminds us that when Christ speaks, every barrier, every doubt, and even the irreversible grip of death itself must yield to His life-giving authority. (39) Martha, the sister of him that was dead.--This fact of close relationship is mentioned again to account for her remark. We know, from the whole narrative, that she was his sister; but this verse would say, not simply that Martha spoke, but that that in Martha which was sister to him who was dead spoke. She thinks that the form of him she loved has now passed to corruption; she cannot bear that her own eyes or the eyes of others should see it.For he hath been dead four days.--The word "dead" is not expressed in the Greek, which says literally, for he hath been of the fourth day; and the thought is rather of the sepulchre than of death--"for he hath been in the sepulchre four days." (Comp. John 11:17.) The body had been embalmed (John 11:44); but the manner of the Jews was to embalm only with spice, and to wrap in linen clothes (John 19:40-42), and there is no evidence that they at any time followed the Egyptian method of embalming. The only instance of Jewish embalming mentioned in the Old Testament is that of Asa (2Chronicles 16:14). The fact that the body had been in the sepulcher four days is given by the sister as a proof that decomposition must have taken place, and expositors have generally assumed that it was so. This is, however, not stated in the text, and the assumption is opposed by the fact that there was an interval during which the sepulchre was open, and Jesus prayed to the Father (John 11:41-42). . . . Verse 39. - Jesus saith, Take ye away the stone. Ἄρατε has rather the idea of "lift" than "roll away;" it is used for "take," "take away," "carry as a burden." Martha, the sister of him that was dead, said unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been four days here. Martha's language is another singular illustration of the desire on her part to give a certain kind of advice and direction to our Lord, as though he might be the wiser and bettor for her monitions. The characterization of her as "the sister of the dead" man is not needed for identification, but rather to explain or justify her intrusion upon the solemn, stately direction of the Lord. She shrank from such an exposure of the body of her beloved brother, as an unnecessary act, since he was only to rise at the last day, or to be regarded by his faith in Christ before his death as having already passed from death and through death into a new life. She must have relinquished at that moment all hope of resurrection of the body of Lazarus there and then: ἤδη ὄζει, "he already stinketh." This is explained by many of the Fathers as proof that our Lord not only raised from death-swoon Jairus's daughter, and the young man on his way to burial, but also a putrefying corpse; thus giving three symbols of the effects of sin:(1) a young life blighted; (2) a man's energies dissipated and his condition apparently hopeless; and (3) a type also of one dead in trespasses and sins (Trench on the Miracles) - one whose habits of trespass and bondage to evil seem to forbid all renewal. Godet thinks that Martha had special reasons for such a speech. Others, that all that we have here is the speculation or lanai of Martha, and that it must be so. She puts one more arrest, as it would seem, upon the free act and love of Jesus. This seems quite sufficient to account for the use of the word. It would seem that, for some reason, the body had not been fully embalmed, or she would not have used the expression. Still, all had been done with spices and perfumes that was intended. The Tübingen criticism eagerly lays hold on this point, as proof that the fourth evangelist intended by such a touch to exalt and exaggerate the wonder-working power of Christ. There is no need whatever to see in it more than Martha's sisterly love getting the better of her submission to her Master's order. Τετερταῖος γάρ ἐστι, "For he is of the fourth day (dead) (buried)." On the fourth day the countenance changes, and, as the Jewish proverb urged, the spirit takes its flight from the sepulcher, and no longer hovers over the departed form. Greek “Take awayἌρατε (Arate) Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural Strong's 142: To raise, lift up, take away, remove. the τὸν (ton) Article - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. stone,” λίθον (lithon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 3037: A stone; met: of Jesus as the chief stone in a building. Apparently a primary word; a stone. Jesus Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites. said. λέγει (legei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. “Lord, Κύριε (Kyrie) Noun - Vocative Masculine Singular Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master. by now ἤδη (ēdē) Adverb Strong's 2235: Already; now at length, now after all this waiting. Apparently from e and de; even now. he stinks,” ὄζει (ozei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 3605: To stink, be offensive. A primary verb; to scent: stink. said Λέγει (Legei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. Martha, Μάρθα (Martha) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 3136: Martha, sister of Mary and Lazarus of Bethany. Probably of Chaldee origin; Martha, a Christian woman. the ἡ (hē) Article - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. sister ἀδελφὴ (adelphē) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 79: A sister, a woman (fellow-)member of a church, a Christian woman. Fem of adephos; a sister. of the τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. dead [man]. τετελευτηκότος (teteleutēkotos) Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 5053: To end, finish, die, complete. From a presumed derivative of teleo; to finish life, i.e. Expire. “It has already been ἐστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. four days.” τεταρταῖος (tetartaios) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 5066: Of the fourth day, four days since. From tessares; pertaining to the fourth day. 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